LA Times Op-Ed: LA Times fooled by Turkish Denial?

[SirJouge]

In a developing story, the LA Times Op-Ed Editors have published a piece by Hugh Pope entitled "Armenia Haunts Turkey Again"

After reading the Op-Ed it's clear that its another example of strategically timed Turkish propaganda.

An Action Alert was issued by a co-editor of The Largest Minority asking concerned citizens to write the LA Times to let them know that this is not appropriate for publication, especially following the murder and funeral of Hrant Dink.

The LA Times responded to the Action Alert on their LA opinion blog, stating that the Op-Ed editors did not feel this article deny the Armenian Genocide. "That's not a denial. Close, but no cigar."

Furthermore, the editors copy and pasted the entire email template on their blog. However, they changed the template's closing from, “With best regards, YOUR NAME,” to “With best regards, A Concerned Armenian American.”

Clearly, they feel that only Armenian Americans must care about the issue of genocide, and its denial.

The Largest Minority responded reaffirming their demand for an apology for publishing this piece and the actions the editorial board took after receiving several blogs regarding their responsibility to remove what must be for them, cleverly hidden Turkish denial.

If you are interested in sending an email to the LA Times, to let them know that genocide denial in the Op-Ed is inappropriate you can send it to:

james.oshea@latimes.com, andres.martinez@latimes.com, nicholas.goldberg@latimes.com, doug.frantz@latimes.com

Armenians and non-Armenians, are encouraged to also post their thoughts on their opinion blog

[Hovik]

Thanks for the post and welcome to the forum SirJouge. I've already sent 9 e-mails personally and forwarded it to everyone I know. I suggest everyone do the same, LA Times needs to show some professionalism and accountability.

[Helen]

I have also posted on another Armenian site, to the friends and unknown Armenians asking to circulate...Will send an e-mail from both husband and myself....

[1.5 million]

This article is basically implying that Armenians commited a genocide against the Turks. And no mention at all is made of what really occured - that the OE joined the war of ists own accord - initiated aggression against Russia and - oh by the way - began a mass extermnation campaign against all Armenains within its borders - nothing unusual or untoward eh? Did everyone notice that the author of this piece lives in Istanbul?

[SirJouge]

Just a summary of the Action Alert posted on the Largest Minority Blog. Thanks to all who participated and contributed from ArmenianGenocide.com! Here is copy paste of the article:

On January 24 the Largest Minority published an Action Alert titled “Ask for Fair Coverage in the Los Angeles Times.” This post called on readers to contact the Los Angeles Times and express the disaproval of an Op-Ed which they published titled “Armenia Haunt Turkey Again.” As this chapter of debate is coming to a close, here is a sum up the results of the Action Alert.

* Wednesday, Jan. 24
The Action Alert, “Ask for Fair Converage in the LA Times,” is published. The article was immediately linked by Martini Republic. Readers forwarded it to their friends and relatives, and sent copies of our letter, as well as letters of their own. We can’t be sure about the exact number sent, but we know its in the hundreds.

* Thursday, Jan. 25
The Los Angeles Times responds to letters through their Opinions L.A. blog in a post titled “The Armenian genocide and publishing decisions.” This response immediately sparks debate as the Times doesn’t accept our characterization of Pope’s Op-Ed. Several comments are left to their response advocating and expounding our position. Martini Republic also covers the response. The blog talkturkey links to our Action Alert and encourages its readers to leave comments on the Largest Minority expressing their opinions. A flurry of comments ensues.

* Friday, Jan. 26
We publish our official response to the LA Times reiterating our position, and expressing concern over how our campaign was addressed by the Times. Many more comments are left on the Largest Minority. talkturkey posts a response expressing disapproval that the Los Angeles Times has adopted an editorial policy which “caves in” to its “Armenian constituency”. Martini Republic covers our response and the responses left on the Opinions LA blog in post titled “Getting Slopy on Spring Street.” Oneworld Multimedia picks up the story and expresses their appreciation for the level of journalistic transparency in the Times’ response in their post, “The LA Times, Blogging, and Hrant Dink.”

* Saturday, Jan. 27
Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub linked to our Action Alert from his post “Why we need to study history.”

* Sunday, Jan. 28
Global Voices posted “Turkey is typing… a Follow-up on the Death of Hrant Dink” which used the LA Times Op-Ed and our response as an example of the sort of dialog that has come about as a result of Hrant’s murder.

While we are sure that advocates of Human Rights will always have to remain vigilant in pressuring the media to publish the truth, and that perhaps this discussion which we initiated may continue, we are wrapping up this Action Alert. Unfortunately we aren’t hanging the “Mission Accomplished” banner over our battleship yet, but we are proud that our readers had their voices heard and that the Los Angeles Times will think twice about publishing anything that espouses denial of the Armenian Genocide in the future.

[1.5 million]

Thanks for the update. This is a very important issue IMO - as the LA Times is read by lots of folks and the Armenian community there needs to step up and make sure its voice is heard. I agree though - this is an issue that is important to everyone - or at least should be - and not just Armenians - but of course we can't allow the pushing of this idea that Turkey somehow has any degree of legitimcay in opposing (proper and rightful) Armenian Genocide recognition.